Fringed venetian blind



June 4, 1968 w. KANDEL 3,386,490

-FRINGED VENET IAN BLIND Filed Jan. (50, 1967 g W d] Fl 5 aH'cr if gUnited States Patent 3,386,490 FRINGE!) VENETIAN BLIND Walter Kandel,4334 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, Oreg. 97217 Filed Jan. 30, 1967, Ser.No. 612,457 4 Claims. (Cl. 160-178) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE AVenetian blind is provided with horizontal slats each mounting ascreening element comprising a base and a fringe attached to the base.The fringe hangs freely across the space between the slat and the slatimmediately below, thereby providing a screen when the slats are intheir open position, while at the same time permiting ventilationthrough the blind.

This invention relates to Venetian blinds.

Although Venetian blinds are Well known and widely used, the Venetianblinds of the prior art inherently are characterized by the disadvantageof depriving the screened areas of privacy, when the blinds are in theiropen position, and of ventilation, when the blinds are in their closedposition.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a Venetianblind which overcomes the foregoing disadvantages by providing bothprivacy and ventilation while contemporaneously eliminating glare andproviding an attractive decorative effect in both the open and closedpositions of the blind.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this inventionare accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specificationand claims, considered together with the drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are fragmentary views of the fringed Venetian blind of theinvention in a first embodiment, the blind being illustrated in its openand closed positions, respectively; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the Venetian blind of theinvention in a second embodiment.

Generally stated, the fringed Venetian blind of the invention includes aplurality of horizontal slats vertically spaced from each other andoperated in the usual manner by means of cords which adjust the slatsbetween open and closed positions. Screening elements are arranged alongthe corresponding longitudinal margins of the slats. Each screeningelement comprises a base secured to the slat and a fringe attached tothe base. The fringe hangs freely across the space between the slat andits neighbor immediately below. The length of the fringe is such assubstantially to span the opening between the two slats when the slatsare in the open position of the blind, and to overlie and substantiallyconceal the lower slat when the slats are in the closed position of theblind. Thus the bind affords privacy when in its open position, while atthe same time providing ventilation and an attractive decorativeappearance.

Considering the foregoing in greater detail and with particularreference to the drawings:

In the FIG. 1 form of the invention the Venetian blind assembly includesa plurality of vertically spaced horizontal slats each provided withtransverse openings 12 which accommodate cords 14 by means of which theslats are adjusted between open and closed positions.

In addition there are provided a plurality of screening elementsarranged along the corresponding longitudinal margin of the slats. Eachscreening element comprises a base 16 to the outer edge of which areattached fringe strands 18 which, if desired, may comprise solidmaterial 3,386,490 Patented June 4, 1968 rather than separated strands.Both base and strands may be made of a suitable fabric, plastic, thinmetal, or other flexible material.

Base 16 is secured along the edge portion of slat 10 by suitable means,as by means of an adhesive layer 20.

Fringe 18 is of sufiicient length substantially to screen the openingbetween the slats when the slats are in the open position of the blindand to overlie and substantially conceal the slat immediately below whenthe slats are in the closed position of the blind.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is similar, except thatalternate means for securing the screening elements to the slats areprovided.

In this form of the invention the Venetian blind assembly again includesconventional horizontal slats 10 provided with central openings 12 andoperated by means of cords 14.

:Each screening element comprises a base 22 supporting a solid orfilamentous fringe 26.

Base 22 comprises a sleeve dimensioned completely to encase slat 10. Thesleeve is formed with an opening 24, which may be a buttonhole typeopening, and which registers with opening 12 through the slat, thuspermitting introduction of cord 14 in the usual manner. Fringe 26 againis of suflicient length substantially to screen the opening between theslats, and to overlie and conceal the underlying slat, when the blind isin its open and closed positions, respectively.

In a preferred form of the invention, the screening element may comprisea tubular covering of knit or woven material which slides over the slatand supports a depending fringe of fabric, plastic, or metal strands.

The advantages of the invention immediately are apparent.

When the blind is in the open position of FIGS. 1 and 2, the fringescreens the openings between the slats to insure privacy. At the sametime it permits adequate ventilation and obscures the glare of thedirect sun.

When the blind is in its closed position, the fringe overlies the facesurface of the slat immediately below to produce the effect of anornamental screen or tapestry, rather than the hard, mechanicalappearance of a closed conventional Venetian blind. Further to enhancethis effect both the base material and the fringe may be fabricated frommaterials of selected colors and patterns to give attractive decorativeeffects.

Still further, in the FIG. 3 form of the invention in which thescreening elements are removable from the slats, the elements may bechanged from time to time to clean them, as well as to accommodate themto various room decors.

It accordingly will be seen that there is provided an apparatus in whichthe several objects of this invention are achieved and which is welladapted for the conditions of practical use.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a Venetian blind including a plurality ofvertically spaced horizontal slats interconnected by vertical cords foradjusting the slats between open and closed positions, a plurality ofscreening elements arranged along corresponding longitudinal margins ofthe slats and each comprising (a) a base,

(b) securing means for securing the base to the slat,

(c) and a fringe attached to the base and hanging 3 across the spacebetween the slat and the slat immediately below,

((1) the fringe having a length sufficient substantially to screen theopening between the slats when the slats are in the open position of theblind and to overlie and substantially conceal the slat immediatelybelow when the slats are in the closed position of the blind.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprisesadhesive means adhesively uniting the base to the slat.

.3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprisesreleasable securing means for permitting periodic removal andreplacement of the screening elements on the slats.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprisessleeve means encasing the slat.

No references cited.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

P. M. CAUN, Examiner.

